Ballina set to put its best foot forward for Mini-Marathon

If you haven’t heard already, the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon is returning to Ballina for the second year running on Sunday, May 5, and it’s promising to be another special day.

What a month April 2023 was for the North Mayo capital as US President Joe Biden made a historic televised visit on Friday, April 14.

Just two weeks later, after being held in Castlebar since its inception in 2010, the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon came to Ballina for the first time as part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations. A day to remember, It was a key event in the Ballina 2023 calendar and one of over 70 events marking the town’s 300th birthday.

The event, which was organised by the Mayo Sports Partnership in conjunction with Mayo.ie and the Western People, saw hundreds gather in the heart of the town, and the event attracted its full quota of 2,023 participants, to honour Ballina 2023 celebrations, while another 1,000 youngsters took part in the Mini-Mini 2k event. It was a day to remember, and three local women finished in the top three as Norah Newcombe-Pieterse, who was claiming top prize for the second time in four years, finished with an impressive time of 36 minutes and 47 seconds, followed by Sinéad Whitelaw (née Roache) with a time of 34:49 and Serena Tuffy on 39:00. Quay National School pupil Daniel Gallagher won the Mini-Mini event.

Preparations are underway for this year’s edition of the event, which is proudly supported by Moy Valley Resources IRD, Ballina Athletic Club and Moy Valley Athletic Club, with hundreds of women already registered. This year, the race will begin at the recently renovated state-of-the-art Military Barracks in Ballina, now known as the Innovation Quarter, and it will be the first major event to be held in the public plaza of this impressive space.

The Mini-Marathon will give local businesses, including pubs, restaurants, hotels, B&Bs, lodgings and shops a welcome boost as we head into the tourist season. It is another chance for Ballina to put its best foot forward as it gets to show off its rich tradition and identity to all who visit the town for this year’s Mini-Marathon. Ballina is known for its rich heritage, natural beauty, and warm hospitality.

It is going to a special weekend in Ballina, so make sure you pop in on Sunday, May 5, to support the participants.

Registration for the Mayo.ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon is now open at www.westofirelandwomensminimarathon.com, with the first 1,900 entries receiving a free t-shirt and eco-medal. Walkers, joggers, and runners over the age of 16 are all welcome to register for the main event.

The #ItsForGirls teenage participation event, which is a sub-category of the main event for secondary school girls aged 12-17, is also open at a reduced rate of just €10. The ever-popular 2km Mini-Mini event for national school girls and boys will open for registration on Tuesday, April 9. If you cannot make it to Ballina on the day to take part, you can still participate virtually in the 10k race - just select this option at registration and your t-shirt and medal will be posted to you.